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Sergeant Billy

The True Story of the Goat Who Went to War

Author Mireille Messier
Illustrated by Kass Reich
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Hardcover
$17.99 US
Tundra | Tundra Books
9"W x 11.25"H x 0.42"D   | 18 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Sep 17, 2019 | 40 Pages | 9780735264427
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell N
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A delightful tale inspired by the true story of a brave goat war hero. Perfect for fans of Finding Winnie and Rescue and Jessica.

During World War I, a goat named Billy was adopted by a platoon of soldiers and made his way across the ocean to be part of the war effort.

Billy . . .
  • Trained with the soldiers
  • Was smuggled across the ocean
  • Got snuck into the frontlines in a box of oranges
  • Ate some secret documents and was arrested for treason
  • Got trench foot
  • Head-butted soldiers into a trench and saved them from a shell
  • Came back home a decorated war hero

    • This charming true story follows Sergeant Billy from his small prairie town to the trenches of World War I and back, through harrowing moments, sad moments, moments of camaraderie and moments of celebration. This unforgettable goat and the platoon that loved him will capture your heart!
    • WINNER | 2021
      Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
    • WINNER | 2021
      Rocky Mountain Book Award
    • WINNER | 2020
      Christopher Book Awards
    • HONOR | 2020
      Comstock Read Aloud Book Award
    • AWARD | 2020
      Shining Willow Award
    “Messier’s smooth, well-paced text and Reich’s muted gouache illustrations. . . . [i]maginatively conveys the drudgery—if not the sheer terror—of war to a young audience.” --Kirkus Reviews

    “Messier takes young readers beyond the mud and blood of World War I with her rollicking humanizing tale of a goat and the soldiers who cared for it. Illustrator Kass Reich expertly captures the tone of Messier’s words with her delightful illustrations. . . . Highly recommended.” --CM Magazine

    "“Humanizes the realities of war.” --CityParent
    MIREILLE MESSIER is a Montreal-born, Ottawa-raised and now Toronto-based author, freelance writer and voice-over artist. She has published over twenty children's books, including The Branch, which was nominated for a Governor General's Award, and Sergeant Billy, winner of the Rocky Mountain Book Award, the Shining Willow Award and the Christopher Book Award. She has written for youth magazines and has collaborated in the production of many family programs and interactive apps for CBC, TVO/TFO and Teletoon. View titles by Mireille Messier
    © Stephanie Coffey
    KASS REICH works as an artist and educator and has spent the majority of the last decade travelling around the world. She earned a degree in Art Education from Concordia University and was an early childhood educator in Beijing, which inspired her to start making picture books for very young readers. Kass loves illustrating books for all ages, including the Megabat series, Sergeant Billy, Carson Crosses Canada and Hamsters Holding Hands. She now lives and works in Toronto, Ontario. View titles by Kass Reich

    About

    A delightful tale inspired by the true story of a brave goat war hero. Perfect for fans of Finding Winnie and Rescue and Jessica.

    During World War I, a goat named Billy was adopted by a platoon of soldiers and made his way across the ocean to be part of the war effort.

    Billy . . .
  • Trained with the soldiers
  • Was smuggled across the ocean
  • Got snuck into the frontlines in a box of oranges
  • Ate some secret documents and was arrested for treason
  • Got trench foot
  • Head-butted soldiers into a trench and saved them from a shell
  • Came back home a decorated war hero

    • This charming true story follows Sergeant Billy from his small prairie town to the trenches of World War I and back, through harrowing moments, sad moments, moments of camaraderie and moments of celebration. This unforgettable goat and the platoon that loved him will capture your heart!

    Awards

    • WINNER | 2021
      Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
    • WINNER | 2021
      Rocky Mountain Book Award
    • WINNER | 2020
      Christopher Book Awards
    • HONOR | 2020
      Comstock Read Aloud Book Award
    • AWARD | 2020
      Shining Willow Award

    Praise

    “Messier’s smooth, well-paced text and Reich’s muted gouache illustrations. . . . [i]maginatively conveys the drudgery—if not the sheer terror—of war to a young audience.” --Kirkus Reviews

    “Messier takes young readers beyond the mud and blood of World War I with her rollicking humanizing tale of a goat and the soldiers who cared for it. Illustrator Kass Reich expertly captures the tone of Messier’s words with her delightful illustrations. . . . Highly recommended.” --CM Magazine

    "“Humanizes the realities of war.” --CityParent

    Author

    MIREILLE MESSIER is a Montreal-born, Ottawa-raised and now Toronto-based author, freelance writer and voice-over artist. She has published over twenty children's books, including The Branch, which was nominated for a Governor General's Award, and Sergeant Billy, winner of the Rocky Mountain Book Award, the Shining Willow Award and the Christopher Book Award. She has written for youth magazines and has collaborated in the production of many family programs and interactive apps for CBC, TVO/TFO and Teletoon. View titles by Mireille Messier
    © Stephanie Coffey
    KASS REICH works as an artist and educator and has spent the majority of the last decade travelling around the world. She earned a degree in Art Education from Concordia University and was an early childhood educator in Beijing, which inspired her to start making picture books for very young readers. Kass loves illustrating books for all ages, including the Megabat series, Sergeant Billy, Carson Crosses Canada and Hamsters Holding Hands. She now lives and works in Toronto, Ontario. View titles by Kass Reich

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